Explosive container



June 1967 A. BERTHMANN ETAL 3,326,126

EXPLOS IVE CONTAINER Filed Feb. 12, 1965 HE. E

INVENTOR ADOLF BERTHMANN MAXEMIUAN KLUNSCH BY Chg? ATTORNEYS:

United States Patent 3,326,126 EXPLOSIVE CONTAINER Adolf Berthmann, Leverkusen, and Maximilian Kliinsch,

Opladen, Germany, assignors to Dynamit Nobel Alrtiengesellschaft, Troisdorf, Germany Filed Feb. 12, 1965, Ser. No. 432,321

Claims priority, application Germany, Feb. 15, 1964,

1 Claim. (Cl. 102-24) The present invention relates to containers for explosives and more particularly to such explosive containers as are used for seismic measurements at sea.

For carrying out seismic measurements at sea, it is known to tow containers filled with explosives through the water by means of a boat and then to cause the same to be detonated at a given time. The containers are thereby secured at the boat by means of a cable of such length that they have a predetermined minimum distance with respect thereto. By the arrangement of conventional appropriate floating devices at the containers, there is achieved that the containers are disposed as a predetermined desired depth below the water surface. The towing force necessary by reason of the dynamic water pressure and necessary for the towing of the container, depends essentially on the form and the weight of the filled explosive containers but also depends on the manner of securing the towing cable at the container.

For carrying out seismic measurements, cannister-like containers have been used heretofore which have a cylindrical or also a quadrangular casing which is closed at the forward and rearward end face thereof by an essentially plane cover and bottom, respectively. Regardless in which position to the moving direction of the boat in which such prior art containers find themselves at any time, they always require a large towing force, which is also the case whenas desiredthey are disposed with the cover in front facing the moving direction, It is also very disadvantageous in connection therewith that the prior art containers have a very strong tendency to carry out during the towing a rolling movement.

In order to obtain by means of differently large explosive quantities detonations of different strength, several such containers of the same or of different size have always been secured heretofore, bundled together at the end of the towing cable. This measure has the disadvantage that for each container a separate primer or a separate individual ignition device is necessitated while at the same time the uniform detonation of all of the containers and especially the transmission thereof to the measuring instruments is jeopardized, and more particularly in the case when a larger distance of the containers from one another is caused by the flow.

The purpose of the present invention is to avoid the aforementioned disadvantages and to create favorable conditions for the realization of seismic measurements at sea. With an explosive container having a cylindrical, square, or similarly constructed casing, closed at both end faces thereof by means of a cover and a bottom, respectively, this is achieved primarily by the present invention in that the container is constructed with an elongated form in a size corresponding to the prevailing requirements and that additionally the cover is also constructed with an outwardly projecting, central curvature extending at least over the largest part of the container cross section and having a shape favorable to streamlining for example, a conical pyramid-like or semi-spherically shaped configuration.

The dynamic water pressure acting on the container is considerably reduced by the construction in accordance with the present invention during the towing and the towing force necessary for the towing is considerably reduced correspondingly. At the same time, a completely satisfactory transmission of the detonation to the measuring apparatus is also assured thereby as the entire explosive quantity is always concentrated into a small coherent space and the ignition thereof can be realized correspondingly by means of a singe ignition device. According to a further proposal of the present invention, the primer and/ or ignition device is accommodated in a receiving or accommodating means, preferably, provided centrally at the cover or also at the bottom, which is constructed appropriately as a central sleeve-shaped projecting toward the inside of the container. This recess may be formed into the cover as well as into the bottom or may be constructed also as a separate sleeve, preferably of plastic material, for example, of hard polyethylene, which is inserted into a corresponding aperture of the cover or bottom in a water-tight manner and secured against inadvertent disengagement or falling out.

A further significant advantage of the explosive c-ontainer in accordance with the present invention is also the fact that by reason of its favorable streamlined elongated shape, it maintains its position in the water much more readily and better than the heretofore known explosive containers, which is additionally favored if there is provided near the forward and rearward end of the container at the casing thereof a collapsible shackle, lug, drophandle, or the like for the securing of the towing cable or a floating device. Of course, between these two drophandles and especially also on the opposite side of the container casing, further collapsible shackles or drop handles may be provided which serve simultaneously also for the easier handling and transportation of the container.

In order to be able to reckon in a simple and purposeful manner with the frequent requirements to obtain by means of differently large explosive quantities, detonations of differing strength, and in order not to have to manufacture for each occurring explosive quantity separately a container of corresponding size or, with the use of containers of a single size, in order not to have to load the same with explosives only to a greater or lesser extent thereof, the container according to the present invention is composed of two or more detachably connected sections disposed one behind the other. It is thereby most simple, most appropriate, and most inexpensive if all the sections are constructed exactly identical as regards the longitudinal as well as transverse dimensions thereof and are thereby possibly matched also to the smallest occurring charge unit, which of course does not exclude that in case of special circumstances, it may also be useful to construct the sections of different lengths and possibly also of different cross sectional dimensions whereby naturally the connecting areas of the sections should be matched to one another in order to be able to establish also in this case a rapid and detachable connection between the sections.

Particularly favorable is the subdivision of the container into sections when each section is constructed as self-contained, readyto-use container with a casing, cover, and bottom as well as with an accommodating means for an ignition device arranged of complementary dimensions in the cover or bottom. In this manner, a large explosive quantity may be prepacked ready for use and may be taken along aboard the tug for any desired application, adapted to be assembled by means of few manipulations into explosive containers of corresponding size. This advantageous manner of handling an application can be further improved in that all sections are constructed with an identically outwardly curved cover, favorable for streamlining and also with an inwardly curved bottom curved in exactly the same manner and at least approximately corresponding to the curvature of the cover, and by arranging at the casing near the forward and rearward end of each section a freely pivotal drop handle along a line parallel to the container axis. By such meassure not only a very good and rigid connection between the individual sections can be achieved but it is also possible to interchange at will the individual sections and therebeyond to limit the number of the types of section to be manufactured to a single one.

A simple connection between the sections may be achieved in that the cover and bottom are secured in a fluid-type manner at the casing by means of outwardly projecting, preferably identical folded rims extending along the circumference of the casing and in that a coupling sleeve is installed at the connecting place between two adjacent sections, with the coupling sleeve extending over the ends of the sections along the entire circumference and provided with a bead or corrugation for receiving the folded rims, whereby the coupling sleeve is constructed as slotted ring band, or the like and is adapted to be tightly clamped over the section ends in the circumferential direction by means of lugs arranged at the one end thereof and by means of clamping claws or fingers arranged at the other end thereof and engaging into the lugs.

In the place of the folded rims or also additionally thereto, for purposes of an easy and appropriate connection of each two adjacent sections, there may be provided near the ends thereof an outwardly projecting bulge-shaped portion preferably extending along the entire circumference, whereby again a correspondingly constructed coupling sleeve of complementary shape may serve as connecting element. For increasing the safety of the connection between the individual sections, use may also be made to hold together the sections by means of a band, tightly surrounding the same in an axial plane of the explosive container, possibly provided at the towing end with an ear, lug, or the like for the connection of the towing cable, whereby the band is appropriately provided with a conventional clamping mechanism.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an explosive container for seismic measurements at sea which obviates, by simple means, the aforementioned shortcomings and drawbacks encountered with the prior art constructions.

Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of an explosive container for seismic measurements at sea which is relatively simple in construction, easy to assemble and handle and involves relatively low costs.

A further object of the present invention resides in the provision of an explosives container for seismic measurements at sea which considerably reduces the towing force necessary for towing the same through the water while at the same time increasing its stability while in the water under tow.

A further object of the present invention resides in the provision of an explosives container which assures an even and uniform detonation of all the containers and therewith an appropriate transmission to the measuring instruments notwithstanding the use of different quantities of explosives.

Still another object of the present invention resides in the provision of an explosives container structure for seismic measurements at sea which assures favorable conditions for such measurements, particularly by providing a container having a shape favorable for the dynamic water pressure that occurs during towing.

Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of a multi-sectional explosive container that can be readily handled and transported, permits prepacking of the individual section and requires few manipulations to assemble the same into a structure that may vary in the total quantity of explosives used.

A still further object of the present invention resides in the provision of a container for explosives for seismic measurements at sea which permits an easy and rapid con- 4- nection between the individual sections while at the same time assuring a good and fluid-tight connection between the sections.

Still another object of the present invention resides in the provision of a container for explosives for use in connection with seismic measurements at sea which permits a reduction of the types of section to a single type yet offers great versatility in the explosive charges that can be used.

These and further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing which shows, for purposes of illustration only, two embodiments in accordance with the present invention, and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic representation of an explosive container in accordance with the present invention towed through the water by a boat,

FIGURE 2 is an elevational view of an explosive container in accordance with the present invention composed of three self-contained and ready-to-use sections,

FIGURE 3 is an elevational view, on an enlarged scale, of one section of FIGURE 2,

FIGURE 4 is a partial elevational view, on an enlarged scale, of the coupling sleeve according to FIGURE 2, and

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a modified embodiment of a coupling sleeve in accordance with the present invention.

Referring now to the drawing wherein like reference numerals are used throughout the various views to designate like parts, and more particularly to FIGURE 1, reference numeral 3 designates therein the container, completely filled with explosives and secured by means of a towing cable 2 at the boat 1, which is towed through the water by the boat 1 in the direction of the arrow. The casing 4 of the container 3 is closed off in the illustrated embodiment at the forward end by means of an outwardly curved cover 5 of semi-spherical shape and at the rear end thereof by means of a bottom 6. The container 3 has a relatively great length in relation to its cross section. Collapsible shackles, lugs, or drop-handles 7 are secured near the forward and rearward end of the container 3 or of the casing 4 thereof at the same. The towing cable 2 is connected with the forward one of the two drop-handles 7 and the floating device 9 of conventional construction is secured at the rearward drop-handle 7 by way of a long cable 8 by means of which is assured the horizontal position of the container 3 as well as the depth thereof below the water surface during the towing operation. By the arrangement of the two drop-handles 7 along a common center line of the container 3 there is additionally achieved that the container 3 is always suspended downwardly inclined and therewith assumes a stable position, whereby a rolling movement of the container 3 is avoided in a far-reaching manner.

FIGURE 2 illustrates a container 3 which is composed of three self-contained and ready-to-use sections 3a, 3b, and 30. Each of the sections 301, 3b, and 3c of which one is illustrated on a larger scale in FIGURE 3, is provided with a casing 4 as well as with a cover 5 and a bottom 6. Furthermore, all three sections, that is, the casings 4, the covers 5, and the bottoms 6 thereof have identical dimensions.

The covers 5 are each provided with an outwardly projecting central curved portion constructed of truncated conical shape and extending over the largest part of the container cross section while the bottoms 6 are each provided with an inwardly projecting central curved portion constructed of truncated conical shape and also extending over the largest part of the container cross section. The curved portion of a cover 5 and the curved portion of a bottom 6 thereby correspond essentially with each other, i.e., are complementary to one another so that only relatively little water can penetrate between adjacent ends of the sections which is as should be for a completely satisfactory detonation of the explosive container 3. Of course, instead of the truncated conical shape which is particularly simple from a manufacturing point of view, also any other contour or curvature of different shape which is hydrodynamically favorable, may be provided with the cover 5 and the bottoms 6.

The watertight securing of the covers 5 and of the bottoms 6 at the casings 4 is realized by means of outwardly flanged, identical folded rims 11 and 12 extending over the entire circumference. A sleeve 14 made preferably of plastic material, for example, of hard polyethylene is arranged coaxially to the container axis 13 within the cover 5 of each section for the accommodation of a primer or ignition device (not shown) which in the illustrated embodiment is pressed in watertight and secured against inadvertent falling out. Of course, a corresponding recess may also be formed directly into the covers 5. Obviously, the sleeves 14 or corresponding sleeve-shaped recesses may also be provided instead at or within the bottoms 6. Furthermore, the covers 5 or the bottoms 6 may also be provided with threaded portions which permit a screw-threaded connection of a correspondingly constructed ignition or primer charge.

In order to prevent a penetration of water into the sleeves 14 or into corresponding sleeve-shaped recesses, the latter are closed against the outside by means of detachable, cap-like closure plugs 15, held in place by a simple press-fit. Even tho-ugh for purposes of ignition or detonation of the explosive charge, a primer or ignition device has to be provided only in the cover 5 of the foremost section 3a or in the bottom 6 of the rearmost section 30, the closure plugs 15 found within the area of two adjoining section ends are appropriately left in place in the corresponding sleeves 14 also during towing. Advantageously the sleeves 14 are made of a soft elastic material, especially of plastic material, for example polyethylene, whereby a good and watertight closure of the sleeves 14 is assured. In particular the good elastic deformability of such a closure plug 15 permits that the latter can be reinserted after the insertion of the primer into the sleeve 14 disposed at the forward or rearward end of the container 3 and that in this manner a good seal of the ignition device against moisture is assured event when the ignition takes place by means of wires and these wires are conducted out of the sleeve 14 between the sleeve wall and the closure plug 15. It is obvious that the sleeves 14 or corresponding sleeve-shaped recesses are of such large dimension that they are capable to receive and accommodate an ignition device sufficiently large for every application, that is for every explosive quantity that may be used.

Near the forward and rearward end of each section there is provided at the casing 4 thereof one bulge-shaped bead or corrugation 15 extending over the entire circumference. Each two adjoining section ends 3a and 3b or 3!) and 3c are held together by means of a coupling sleeve 18 extending over the same and provided with beads 17 for receiving the bulge-shaped beads 16, with the coupling sleeves 18 extending over the entire container circumference.

A further, sufficiently wide bead 19 is provided in the center part of the coupling sleeve 18 for receiving the folded rims 11 and 12. Of course, the bulgeshaped bead 16 may also be dispensed with and the connection of two sections with each other may be efiectuated by means of the folded rims 11 and 12 in that these rims are held together by a coupling sleeve which is provided only about in the center thereof with a single correspondingly narrow bead or corrugation tightly extending over the folded rims 11 and 12.

Both for purposes of facilitated handling of the entire container 3 as also of the individual sections 3a, 3b, and 30, as well as for the securing of the towing cable and of a floating device there are arranged near the forward and rearward end of each section at the casing 4 in a line parallel to the container axis 13 collapsible shackles, lugs, or drop-handles 7, each freely pivotal about an axis 20 perpendicular to the container axis 13. Additional drop-handles 7 may of course also be provided on the opposite container side, especially if the sections are to be held together, instead of by means of the coupling sleeves 18 or in addition to the latter, by means of a band of iron, steel, or the like disposed in an axial plane of the container and slung about the same whereby the band is then pulled appropriately through the drop-handles 7. When dispensing with such a band, it would normally suflice if one drop-handle '7 each is provided near the forward and rearward end of the container 3 for the insertion of the towing cable and for the fastening of the floating device. The arrangement of one drop-handle 7 each at the forward and rearward end of each section has only the purpose to obtain sections that may be interchanged at will and are self-contained completely ready to use, which-as can be seen in particular from FIG- URE 3enable also the securing of the towing cable and of a floating device in the event when they are used individually by themselves. Of course, the arrangement of two drop-handle 7which can even be constructed with relatively simple conventional means in a detachable manner-at each section also offers the advantage that each section can be easily handled and transported.

It is clear that the sections 3a, 3b, and 30 need not necessarily have the same length and the same cross sectional dimensions. However, as can be readily seen from FIGURE 2, such a construction is particularly appropriate because it permits with adaptation of the dimensions to the smallest explosive quantity to be used, on the one hand, to get along with a single container or single type of section and therewith to constitute the manufacture particularly simple, rational, and inexpensive and, on the other, to assure nevertheless by a connection of a corresponding number of sections the possibility to combine suitably large quantities of explosives into a single explosive container.

The coupling sleeve 18 illustrated in part on an enlarged scale in FIGURE 4 which corresponds to that of FIGURE 2, is provided near one of the two ends, disposed closely adjacent one another in the circumferential direction, with a hook 21 between the beads 17 and near the other end thereof with a lug or ear 22 engaging into the hook 2-1 whereby upon tilting of the lever 23, the ends of the sleeve 18 can be pulled together so that the sleeve 18 abuts tightly and rigidly against adjacent ends of the section casings 4.

The coupling sleeve 18 illustrated in FIGURE 5 is only provided with a single bead 17 arranged at the center thereof. The two lugs or ears 24 are arranged at one end of the band-shaped coupling sleeve 18 and the two levers 25 with clamping claws 26 are secured at the other end thereof. The latter are already inserted into the lugs 24, however, the levers 25 have not been completely tilted. Upon tilting the levers 25 whichas indicated in dash linesmay be rigidly connected with each other by any conventional means, the ends of the sleeve 18 slide together to such an extent that they form a practically closed ring.

In both cases the length of the band of the coupling sleeve 1% is, of course, always so dimensioned that the band with closed levers 23 or 25, surrounds tightly about the ends of the casings 4 of adjacent sections and thereby securely holds the same together by means of the bulgeshaped beads and/or the folded rims. Possibly the length of the sleeve band may also be so dimensioned that the ends thereof overlap during tightening.

While we have shown and described several embodiments in accordance with the present invention, it is understood that the same is not limited thereto but is susceptible of numerous changes and modifications as known to a person skilled in the art and we therefore do 7 i not wish to be limited to the details shown and described herein but intend to cover all such changes and modifications as are encompassed by the scope of the appended claim.

We claim:

An explosive charge container for seismic measurements at sea comprising a plurality of sections; coupling means detachably connecting said sections in series with each other; each of said sections being an independently serviceable container having a casing, a cover, a bottom and a secondary container means within said casing for receiving a detonator; each of said covers having a substantially identical, streamlined, convex, central curvature extending over the major portion of the cover profile; and each of said bottoms having a substantially identical, concave, central curvature substantially corresponding to the curvature of each of said covers; axially aligned handles rotatably and detachably mounted a substantial distance on each side of the center of each of said casings; means comprising outwardly projecting uniform seams operatively connecting each of said covers and said bottoms in a fluid tight manner with a corresponding casing; said seams encircling the perimeter of the corresponding casing; each of said casings having an outwardly extending bead-shaped ridge, extending around the entire periphery of the casing in a plane substantially perpendicular to the casing axis; said coupling means including a split sleeve having a channel shaped portion surrounding and engaging said seam, said sleeve having an additional channel shaped portion surrounding and engaging said ridges; means to engage the opposite ends of said split sleeve being operable to contract and hold said split sleeve tightly about said seams and said ridges; band means tightly surrounding all of said sections substantially within an axial plane of the container and being operable to axially clamp said sections together; and means to tighten said band means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 411,130 9/1889 Robinson 285-419 X 544,943 8/1895 Woodside 285-419 1,840,479 1/1932 Weber 102-24 2,401,140 5/1946 Cordie 102-24 2,488,611 11/1949 Stallings 220-97 X 2,641,374 6/1953 Der Yuen 220-97 X 2,919,017 12/1959 Weber 220-8 X 3,001,564 9/1961 Hopkins 220-97 X 3,013,492 12/1961 Sexton 102-24 3,059,575 10/1962 Griflith et a1. 102-22 FOREIGN PATENTS 930,490 7/1963 Great Britain. 344,357 3/ 1960 Switzerland.

Assistant Examiners. 

